Hibonite

Mogok Stone Tract

Mandalay Region

Burma

0.9 by 0.9 by 0.4 cm – Thumbnail specimen (fits into a 2.5 cm cube)

Hibonite is a complex oxide nominally comprised of primarilly calcium and aluminum. Minor impurities of iron and titanium cause a deep color by electronic charge transfer. Curien et al. (1956) named the mineral in honor of Paul Hibon, who discovered the mineral. Iron and titanium free hibonite, like that found in certain carbonaceous chrondrite meteorites, is white.

This hibonite specimen has a deep red-brown color. The crystal is actually a section of a pyramidal crystal, with rough parting faces making two flat surfaces. A well formed example for Burma. 4.66 cts.